Heavy rains soak the southern U.S.

Heavy rainfall continued across the Southeast, while the West saw another extremely hot day on Independence Day.

A ridge of high pressure in the Atlantic Ocean continued to push warm and moist air northward from the Gulf of Mexico. This allowed for a stationary front to stretch from the Gulf of Mexico through the Great Lakes, which kicked up showers and thunderstorms from the Panhandle of Florida through the Ohio River Valley.

Some of these storms turned severe with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding. Flood warnings and advisories remained in effect for most of the Eastern states, while flash flood warnings were issued across northern Florida as extremely heavy rains persisted for the region. Heaviest rainfall to note is 17.44 inches of rain since Tuesday evening reported at Inlet Beach, Fla. Heaviest rainfall for Thursday alone was reported at Crestview, Fla., with a midday total of 5.92 inches.

Meanwhile in the West, a ridge of high pressure brought yet another extremely hot day to the West Coast. Temperatures over the Desert Southwest were expected to reach near-record breaking values again with highs from 110 to 120 in some areas. Las Vegas,has seen temperatures at or above 110 degrees since last Thursday. Death Valley, Calif., has reported temperatures at or above 127 degrees for the past 5 days now.

ON THIS DATE....... On the first Independence Day (July 4, 1776), Thomas Jefferson bought his very first thermometer before signing the Declaration of Independence. Apparently, it was 76 degrees and cloudy. Also, on this date in 1956, a world record was set when Unionville, Md., received 1.23 inches of rain...in one minute.